11 Truths Of Life As A Volunteer

Volunteer Week (12-18 May) is an opportunity to recognise all of the people in our community who sacrifice their time to contribute to something larger than themselves.

1. A Whole New World

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Beginning a new volunteer role is equally exciting and terrifying. You have no idea what it is going to be like. Even though you have read the Role Requirements we all know that volunteering can take you on a whole bunch of twists and turns. Often you will be doing things you never expected!

"Volunteering for me has been probably one of the best experiences in the last few years. It has really brought me out of my shell and shown me what I can achieve when I put my mind to it."

Losa Morrison - QLD LGBTQI Network Convener

2. I Know Exactly What I'm Doing......

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So much is going on! You have been shown a bunch of documents that you are likely to never find again. You forget everyone's names and you are just trying to get by.

"There's not really a standard day for me - I'm doing a lot of things that change everyday"

Emily Obrien - NSW Community Organising Intern

3. I should've taken that job at Apple....

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The patience of volunteers is tested on a daily basis by prehistoric computers or photocopiers who like to jam! No matter how many times you desperately press keys, click on icons or utter profanities sometimes you just need to sit back and breathe. Or better yet grab a coffee.

4. Go team!

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One of the best parts of volunteering is being constantly inspired by the people around you. You get to meet and work with some incredibly clever and committed people.

"For me it's actually been a really great social venture - able to make a lot of really good friends who I still hang out with outside of Amnesty" - Dorothy Tran, NSW Branch Committee Member.

"Volunteering at Amnesty you feel like you're a part of a great big team whose knowledge, connections and work you can harness."

Emma Allen, VIC LGBTQI Network Convener

5. Someone asks you why don't you get a "real job"

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There are many reasons why volunteers drag themselves out of bed and it is definitely not for the money or for the glory.

For some, it’s the feeling that you’re doing something good in the world; that you’re giving back to the community. For others it is trying to learn more, develop skills and establish networks in the hope that someday, somewhere you will be able to get paid for doing this work that you love so much. But above all, volunteers believe in what they're doing. That is why 6.4 million people throughout Australia choose to volunteer.

6. OH OH!

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Accidentally sent an email to the entire address book? Didn't BCC hundreds of contacts? Put a kiss after your name on an email to the Director? The look of absolute horror on the faces of volunteers and interns is almost comical. Don't worry it happens to everyone!

7. Who am I? Where am I?

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Volunteers are often multitasking a range of responsibilities. For those at uni they not only have readings to battle with but also manage to hold down a few jobs to pay the bills. For others they may have full time work and a family yet still manage to fit in a few hours each week to contribute back to their community. So it's no surprise when there is a blank and confused stare when the phone rings. How do I greet people on this thing?

"I’m studying postgrad at RMIT. I work as a Communications Manager and in my spare time I volunteer for Amnesty and Transgender Victoria."

- Jade Peters, VIC LGBTQI Network Convener

"I'm a Computer Programmer and when I'm not at Amnesty I'm at home gardening, working or spending time with my wife"

- Paul Toner, Ipswitch Group

8. Free food!

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As soon as an office email circulates mentioning there is cake in the kitchen there is a stampede of volunteers, interns, staff and visitors alike! With any offering of free lunch, cake or coffee you pretend you don't want to take it but really it's one of the highlights of your day.

9. So much information.

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Whether it be developing skills in research, mail merge or event promotion, volunteering gives you hands on experience in an area that you are passionate about. You could use these new skills to bolster your resume or to organise your personal life with spreadsheets.

"Volunteering gets you outside of your comfort zone and you learn a bunch of new things. It really makes you stretch yourself and enables you to decide how you really feel about this issue or that issue. It's a bit of hands on time to really get in there and make a bit of change. I think everyone should volunteer."

Lindsay Jenkins, SA ARTillery Coordinator

"This is a great chance to expand my skills and gain valuable experience, and to do it with an organisation whose goals I support and whose work I love."

Emma Allen, VIC LGBTQI Network Convener

10. Woooooo!

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The indescribable feeling when you get a win - you finally finished that project, your funding proposal was approved, you convinced someone to sign your petition or you had a conversation with someone who cares! It makes it all worthwhile.

"I was once able to sit in on a video conference with a women's rights leader from Afghanistan and hearing about the impact of Amnesty International's work over there was really really inspiring and makes me want to keep going"

Amy Thomas - Youth Advisory Group and QUT Group

"I love going out to schools and talking to young people about human rights. It's great when they are asking questions and really engaged in the discussion. It feels good to know that young people care about these things."

Andrew Beaton - WA Schools Coordinator

11. A New Round of Volunteers Start

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By now you are so wise. You have entirely forgotten your initial anxiety and doubt. You are the one making the documents and processes, introducing people and helping to support the newbies. You are the Yoda of volunteers.

VOLUNTEERS YOU ROCK!

Organisations like Amnesty International would simply not be able to function without the commitment, passion and creativity of our volunteers. We cannot say thank you enough for the hard work that you do.